Events
Palm Springs has many events that come around every year at the same time. Here is a list of most of them. Check the websites to confirm exact dates. For a daily calendar of local events, check here.
January
Palm Springs International Film Festival
January 5-16, 2023 – A star-studded award gala kicks off a week of new film screenings and events. Directors and stars host many Q&A panels after the movies.
Oasis Music Festival
January 26-29, 2023 – An all-genre festival with performances that will take place throughout the City of Palm Springs.
February
Tour de Palm Springs
February 11, 2023 – A charity bike ride with class and distance categories for every skill level.
Intersect Palm Springs
February 9-12, 2023 – A weekend-long contemporary art show at the Palm Springs Convention center, with a VIP gala on Thursday night.
Modernism Week
February 16-26, 2023 – A celebration of Palm Springs rich mid-century architecture and all things “modern”. Featuring home tours, parties, and a great three hour city tour on a double decker bus.
Riverside County Fair and Date Festival
February 17-26, 2023- A large county fair with rides and food booths, with an emphasis on the local date harvest. If you’ve ever had a hankering to try deep fried foods on a stick, this is your chance!
Palm Desert Greek Festival
February 18 & 19, 2023- A community celebration of Greek Culture, with food, music, and dancing.
International Bear Convergence
February 23-27 2023 – A four day event for gay bears and admirers, with pool parties, pop-up shops, and concerts.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
February 24-26 2023 – Held twice a year, in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
March
La Quinta Art Celebration
March 2-5, 2023 – Artists, gourmet food court, cocktails and live entertainment.
Desert X
March 4-May 7, 2023 – A contemporary art exhibition that takes place in the Coachella Valley. The exhibition is free and open to the public, and visitors can explore the artworks by driving or hiking through the desert.
BNP Paribas Tennis Tournament
March 10-19, 2023 – Acclaimed tennis tournament with celebrity sports figures in Indian Wells. The tournament is a Masters 1000 event on the men’s tour and is a WTA 1000 event event on the women’s tour.
Desert Open Studios Art
March 18-19 & 25-26, 2023 – Free, self-guided tour of Coachella Valley artists and their studios.
El Paseo Fashion Week
March 17-23, 2023 – A fashion show that highlights avant-garde designs and top designers from the fashion world. With exclusive trunk shows, runway events and parties.
Palm Desert Food and Wine Festival
March 24 – 26, 2023 – Tasting event with more than 60 restaurants and 40 wineries, breweries and distilleries. Music, classes, and more.
April
Indian Wells Arts Festival
On hiatus til 2024 – Jazz music, cocktails, and the works of over 200 artists. At the Indian Wells Tennis Gardens.
Opera in the Park
April 2, 2023 – A free Sunday event with some great up-and-coming opera singers. It’s often nice weather for a day in the park, but bring some shade or purchase a VIP ticket.
Coachella Music Festival
April 14-16 & 21-23, 2023 – Huge two-weekend music and art festival in Indio, with events and parties in the area in between weekends.
Stagecoach
April 28-30 2023 – Like Coachella Music Festival but with country acts, mainstream or relatively unknown ranging from folk, mainstream country, bluegrass, roots rock, and alternative country.
May
White Party
May 12-14, 2023 – Weekend-long gay dance party with multiple events, pool parties, and celebrity headliners.
June
Palm Springs Restaurant Week
June 2-11, 2023 – Dozens of restaurants in the Coachella Valley participate with special 3 course pre-fixe menus. A great time to try out a new restaurant.
ShortFest Film Festival
June 20-26, 2023 – International festival of short films with screenings, panels, and Q&A’s by the actors and directors.
August
Splash House
Two weekends: August 11-13 & 18-20, 2023 – Poolside parties with DJ’s, hosted by multiple hotels.
September
Cinema Diverse
September 14-24, 2023 – LGBTQ+ Film Festival featuring films, filmmakers, and other forms of LGBTQ+ art and live performances.
The Dinah
September 20-24 2023 – Five-day weekend getaway and music festival catering to the lesbian community. Featuring pool parties, night entertainment, live concerts, comedy shows, and sports.
October
Modernism Fall Preview
TBS – Mid October 2023 – A scaled down version of the big February Modernism Week event. A good chance to do the bus tours and some home tours and parties without the crowds.
Hwy 62 Open Studio Art Tours
October 7/8, 14/15 & 21/22, 2023 – Three weekends of open homes and studios in the hi-desert from Morongo Valley to Twentynine Palms. If you like the high desert area, this is a great chance to meet some locals and see some great (and not so great) art.
November
Palm Springs Gay Pride
November 3-5, 2023 – A celebration of the LGBT community featuring a free festival downtown with booths, food, and entertainment. Parade is Sunday down Palm Canyon. Everybody welcome.
McCormick's Collector Car Auction
November 17-19, 2023 – Held twice a year in February and November, a weekend celebration of amazing cars. Take one home!
Palm Springs Wine & Food Experience
TBS – Late November 2023 – Tastings and cooking demonstrations from local chefs.
December
Palm Springs Festival of Lights
TBS – Early December 2023 – Fun and very popular Christmas parade through downtown Palm Springs. Some restaurants offer premium seating on their patios.
International Tamale Festival
December 1-3, 2023 – An outdoor festival in Indio celebrating tamales. From sweet to savory. Look for the booths with the longest lines to know which are best.